The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) will convene the first meeting of SARTHI (Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation) on June 12, 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. The meeting will be chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, with participation from senior representatives from Central and State Governments, industry, regulatory institutions, and the skilling ecosystem.
SARTHI has been established as an apex advisory mechanism under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) to create a structured platform for strategic dialogue, policy convergence, and coordinated action among vocational education stakeholders. The initiative aims to strengthen Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and align vocational training systems with evolving industry requirements and future workforce needs.
The CTS operates through a network of 13,888 ITIs across India, comprising 3,326 Government ITIs and 10,562 Private ITIs, delivering training across 169 NSQF-compliant trades. The inaugural SARTHI meeting will deliberate on a comprehensive agenda including: the current status of the Craftsmen Training Scheme, implementation of the National ITI Grading Framework, institutionalization of the Annual All India ITI Skill Competition, technology-enabled assessment reforms, increasing women's participation in ITIs, instructor development and qualification standards, expanding access pathways, and improving institutional governance and industry linkages.
Through SARTHI, MSDE seeks to establish a sustained institutional mechanism for stronger Centre-State coordination, structured industry participation, and informed policymaking to create a more future-ready, inclusive, and outcome-oriented vocational training system for India. The meeting will also provide an opportunity for participating States and stakeholders to share implementation experiences and discuss approaches for improving quality, responsiveness, and outcomes across the ITI ecosystem.